Drive cleat connector



Dec. 24, 1968 w. F. ARCHINAL ETAL 3,417,529

DRIVE CLEAT CONNECTOR I Filed Oct. 19, 1966 Fig.

a 36 WIN/0m F. Arch/0a! HGI'fy M. Brazener 4 0 2 INVENTORS United States Patent Ofice 3,417,529 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 3,417,529 DRIVE CLEAT CONNECTOR William F. Archinal, Miami, and Harry M. Brazener, Miami Beach, Fla., assignors to Panelfab Products, Inc., a corporation of Florida Filed Oct. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 587,788 Claims. (Cl. 52-468) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connector and sealing strip for the facing sheets of honeycomb panels in which each facing sheet is provided with a reversely folded channel-shaped edge. The connector is in the form of an elongated strip of vinyl plastic having a laterally extending flange along both edges thereof. The outer flange is provided with a concave outer surface and a convex inner surface tapering to a thin lip and the inner flange is provided with reversely curved edge portions and inwardly extending flanges extending therefrom which are in diverging relation to the flange connected to the web portion with the terminal flanges and flange on the web portion having opposed ribs for grippingly engaging the terminal flange on the channel-shaped edge portion of the facing sheets of the honeycomb panel.

The present invention generally relates to building construction and more particularly prefabricated building structures having paper honeycomb core metal faced panels interconnected at their adjacent edges by a novel drive cleat connector or sealing strip constituting the present invention.

An object of this invention is to provide a connector or sealing strip for the adjacent edges of the metal faces of a honeycomb core, metal faced panel for sealingly interconnecting each of the metal faces with the adjacent edges of the metal faces being spaced apart by the connector or sealing strip. The function of the present invention is primarily sealing of the juncture between the panels which are structurally retained at the top and bottom edges thereof.

In the construction of prefabricated buildings such as classrooms or the like, the use of prefabricated metal faced honeycomb core panels has received wide acceptance. One of the problems incident to the assembling of such panels to form a classroom or other enclosure is the sealing connection of adjacent edges of adjacent pan els in a manner which will join the panels, seal the juncture, enable removal thereof but preclude unauthorized removal such as by students in a classroom or the like and at the same time be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. The connector or sealing strip of the present invention satisfactorily and efficiently performs all of the functions set forth above and basically includes a drive cleat of non-metallic construction which is assembled with the inturned edges of the metal faces by longitudinal sliding interlocking engagement.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a drive cleat connector or sealing strip for connecting the reversely folded edges of adjacent metal faced honeycomb core panels and includes a web portion which extends between the adjacent edges of the metal faces to space them apart, an outer flange extending to both sides of the web portion for engaging the outer surfaces of adjacent metal faces of adjacent panels and an inner flange extending laterally from both sides of the inner edge of the web portion terminating in hook-shaped reversely folded edges for slidingly and sealingly engaging the reversely folded edges of the metal faces of adjacent panels thereby sealingly interconnecting the panels while at the same time isolating the panels from each other to preclude transmission of sound or vibration and at the same time effectively seal the panels so that the insulating characteristics of the panels will be maintained.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmental perspective view of a pair of wall panels interconnected by the drive cleat connector of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the specific relationship of the connector to the metal faced honeycomb core panels; and

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional view of a drive cleat connector illustrating the specific structural features thereof.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the drive cleat connector of the present invention for use in sealingly connecting adjacent wall panels 12 and 14. While the connector is illustrated with vertical wall panels 12 and 14, it is pointed out that such connectors may be employed in various installational organizations where two adjacent panels 12 and 14 are to be interconnected.

The panels 12 and 14 are of conventional construction and include spaced metal faces 16 and 18 sandwiching a honeycomb core 20 of paper material having an expanded cellular configuration extending between the metal faces 16 and 18 with the core being impregnated with resin and bonded to the metal faces.

As illustarted in FIGURE 2, each of the metal faces 16 and 18 terminates at its edge in an inturned flange 22 with the inner edge of the inturned flange 22 terminating in a flange 24 which is parallel with the metal face and perpendicular to the inwardly extending flange 22. Thus, the end edge of each of the metal faces 16 and 18 may be termed channel-shaped in configuration with the channel opening inwardly away from the free edge surface of the wall panel. The connector strip 10 of the present invention is associated with the end edges of the metal faces 16 and 18 and each connector 10' is in the form of a continuous strip of plastic material such as substantially rigid vinyl or the like.

The connector 10 includes a unitary body having a relatively thin web portion 26 which is disposed along the exterior surface of the flange 22 for spacing the flanges 22 apart. The width of the web portion 26 is substantially equal to but slightly greater than the width of the flanges 22. One edge of the web portion 26 is provided with a transversely extending T-flange 28 extending in both lat eral directions from the web portion 26 and having a convexly curved outer surface 30 and a slightly concavely curved inner surface 32 which converge slightly outwardly to define a relatively thin lip or edge 34 which is relatively flexible and which will engage the exterior surface of the metal faces 16 being connected by the connector or the exterior surfaces of adjacent metal faces 18 as observed in FIGURE 2 whereby there will be a sealing engagement and the flexible lip or edge 34 will compensate for any irregularities and also enable a certain degree of misalignment to be compensated for while at the same time forming an effective sealing engagement with the exterior surfaces of the metal faces.

The other edge of the web portion 26 is provided with a T-flange 36 which extends laterally in both directions from the web 26. The flange 36 terminates at its outer edges in reversely curved edge portions 38 which extend inwardly as retaining or clamping flanges 40' which extend back towards the web portion 26 in diverging relation to the flange 36 thus forming inwardly opening trackways or recesses 42 for receiving the flanges 2-4 on the metal faces 16 and 18.

The free edge of the flange 40 is provided with a head 44 Which is offset inwardly slightly and is in opposed relation to an inwardly extending rib or head 46 formed in the flange 36 on both sides of the web portion 26 so that the beads or ribs 44 and 46 will grippingly engage opposed surfaces of the flange 24 as illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

With the device constructed of a substantially rigid but yet somewhat flexible vinyl plastic material or the like, the panels 12 and 14 will be retained in substantially aligned and adjacent relation with the flanges 22 abutting opposite sides of the web portion 26, the inner surface or lip edges 34 engaging the outer surfaces of the metal faces and the flanges 24 being engaged by the ribs 44 and 46 and the free edges of the flanges 24 being engaged by the reversely curved edge portion 38 will serve to retain the metal faces and the panels in assembled and sealed relation. The cleat type connector or seat strip is engaged with the metal faces of the panels by longitudinal sliding movement. In order to assemble the seat strip 10 with the metal faces, it is necessary to bring the panels 12 and 14 into substantial adjacent alignment. Then, the seal strip is slid longitudinally over the end edge portions of the metal faces 16 or 18 until such time as the seal strip extends throughout the length of the panels. The substantially rigid but yet flexible character of the vinyl seal strip will form an effective seal against transmission of air, light, moisture, dirt or the like through the wall at the juncture of the panels and will also isolate each panel to prevent transmission of sound, vibrations or the like from one panel to the other thereby continuing the insulating characteristics of the panels.

The cleat connectors or seal strips may be constructed with various dimentional characteristics depending upon the dimensional characteristics of the panels which they are connecting. Also, the color of the drive cleat connector or seal strip may be varied to be compatible with or contrasting with the color of the panels to provide a complete, neat and finished look to the building structure employing the honeycomb sandwich panels and the drive cleat connector or seal strip.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, I

and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a pair of adjacent aligned honeycomb sandwich panels having metal faces in which theadjacent edges of adjacent metal faces are provided with a reversely folded construction defined by an inwardly extending flange perpendicular to the metal face and ternal flange perpendicular to the inwardly extending flange and in parallel relation to the metal face thereby providing a substantially channel-shaped terminal end edge on each metal face, a sealing strip connecting the adjacent edges of adjacent metal faces of adjacent honeycomb sandwich panels, each strip comprising an elongated member constructured of vinyl material, said strip including a web portion disposed between and engaged with the adjacent surfaces of the inwardly extending flanges on adjacent metal faces, an outer flange at the outer edge of the web portion engaging the outer surfaces of adjacent metal faces, an inner flange on the web portion engaging the terminal flanges on adjacent metal faces, said inner flange having reversely curved hook-like terminal edges for interlocking engagement with the terminal flanges on the metal faces for orienting the metal faces in adjacent relation and sealing the juncture therebetween with the hook-shaped reversely curved edge portions slidingly interlockingly engaging the terminal flanges on the metal faces, outer flange being provided with a convexly curved outer surface, the portion of the outer flange disposed laterally of the web portion being concavely curved with the concave curvature converging towards the convex outer surface of the flange thereby forming a relatively thin and substantially flexible lip at each edge of the outer flange for flexibly and sealingly engaging the outer surface of the metal face, the reversely curved free edge portions on the inner flange being defined by narrow flanges which terminate in spaced relation to the web portion and diverge from the inner surface of the inner flange, said narrow flanges and the inner surface of the inner flange having opposed ribs for grippingly engaging the terminal flanges on the metal faces thereby securely interlocking the metal faces, sealing the metal faces and preventing lateral disconnection of the metal faces from the cleat connector.

2. In combination with a pair of adjacent aligned honeycomb sandwich panels having sheet material faces in which the adjacent edges of adjacent faces are provided with a reversely folded construction defined by an inwardly extending flange perpendicular to the face and a terminal flange perpendicular to the inwardly extending flange and in parallel relation to the face thereby providing a substantially channel-shaped terminal end edge on each face, a sealing strip connecting the adjacent edges of adjacent faces of adjacent honeycomb sandwich panels, each strip comprising an elongated member constructed of substantially rigid but partially flexible and resilient material, said elongated member including a web portion disposed between and engaged with the adjacent surfaces of the inwardly extending flanges on adjacent faces, an outer flange at the outer edge of the web portion engaging the outer surfaces of adjacent faces, an inner flange on the web portion engaging the terminal flanges on adjacent faces, said inner flange having reversely curved hook-like terminal edges for interlocking engagement with the terminal flanges on the faces for orienting the faces in adjacent relation and sealing the juncture therebetween with the hook-shaped reversely curved edge portions slidingly interlockingly engaging the terminal flanges on the faces, the reversely curved free edge portions on the inner flange being defined by narrow flanges which termimate in spaced relation to the web portion and diverge from the inner surface of the inner flange, said narrow flanges and the inner surface of the inner flange having opposed ribs for grippingly engaging the terminal flanges on the faces thereby securely interlocking the faces, sealing the faces and preventing lateral disconnection of the faces from the cleat connector.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the outer flange is provided with a convexly curved outer surface, the portion of the outer flange disposed laterally of the web portion being concavely curved with the concave curvature converging towards the convex outer surface of the flange thereby forming a relatively thin and substantially flexible lip at each edge of the outer flange for flexibility and sealingly engaging the outer surface of the face.

4. A drive cleat conector adapted to interconnect adjacent panels having reversely folded channel-shaped edges including a laterally extending flange and an inwardly extending flange comprising an elongated strip of unitary construction of substantially rigid but partially flexible and resilient material and having a relatively thin web portion adapted to be disposed between and in engagement with adjacent laterally extending flanges of adjacent panels, one edge of said web portion having a lateral flange extending to both sides of said web portion and adapted to engage the adjacent surface areas of adjacent panels, the outer edge of said web portion having a laterally extending flange extending to both sides of said web portion and terminating in reversely curved free edge portions adapted to engage the inwardly extending flanges on adjacent panels for retaining the panels in adjacent relation and sealing the juncture therebetween, the reversely curved free edge portions terminating in flanges extending toward the web portion and terminating in spaced relation thereto and disposed in inwardly diverging relation to the flange to which they are connected, said flanges extending towards the web portion terminating in offset ribs offset towards the flange with which the reversely curved free edge portions are connected, said flange to which the reversely curved free edge portions are connected having corresponding ribs adjacent the reversely curved free edge portion in opposed relation to the ribs on the flanges extending from the reversely curved free edge portions for grippingly engaging flanges on the panels.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said first-mentioned flange connected with the edge of the web UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,388,297 11/1945 Slaughter 287-189.36 2,604,155 7/1952 Junkune 287-189.36 2,638,162 5/1953 Heitlinger'et a1. 287-189.36 3,139,702 7/1964 Wasserman 52-300 3,142,069 7/1964 OConnell et al. 52309 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 287189.35 

